A simple way of establishing on which days in a woman's menstrual cycle she is fertile has been identified by US and Italian fertility experts, according to research published in Europe's leading reproductive medicine journal, Human Reproduction,* today.

Analyzing cervical secretion and time to pregnancy data obtained from a large multinational European database – the European Study of Daily Fecund-ability - they were able to demonstrate that intercourse is unlikely to result in a conception if vaginal dampness is not noticeable on that day or the day before.

All a woman has to do is to notice when she has any vaginal dampness, not associated with menstruation, intercourse or disease. Women wishing to avoid pregnancy should avoid unprotected intercourse unless they have not had vaginal dampness for 2 days.

This algorithm, which was developed by the Institute for Reproductive Health at Georgetown University, is called the TwoDay method. The research teams used their data to analyze the relationship between the presence of noticeable secretions and the daily probabilities of pregnancy in cycles when intercourse was on a given day relative to the identified ovulation day.

The TwoDay method differs from other symptom-based natural family planning methods in that it is not necessary to keep detailed records of cervical mucus characteristics and basal body temperature. This simple algorithm may outperform expensive urinary kits, which can miss the majority of the fertile interval that occurs one or more days prior to ovulation.

Dr David Dunson of the Biostatistics Branch of the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences in North Carolina said: This method is effective, both in identifying the fertile days of the cycle and in predicting days within that fertile interval that have a high pregnancy rate. It's the first direct evidence that cervical secretions are associated with higher fecund-ability within the fertile window.

For couples of normal fertility having intercourse two days prior to ovulation on the most fertile day of the cycle, the probability of pregnancy is essentially doubled from 0.18 (18%) if secretions have not been noticed in the last two days to 0.33 (one third) if secretions have been noticed. A normal couple who abstains from intercourse during the days classified as fertile by our system would have around an 8% chance of becoming pregnant within a year of frequent intercourse – compared with a 97% chance for a couple not following our system.

*The relationship between cervical secretions and the daily probabilities of pregnancy: effectiveness of the TwoDay Algorithm. Human Reproduction Vol. 16. No. 11. pp 2278-2282. D.B. Dunson, I.Sinai, B Columbo. Biostatistics Branch, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, North Carolina; Institute for Reproductive Health, Georgetown University, Washington DC, Department of Statistics, University of Padua.

This story has been adapted from a news release issued by European Society For Human Reproduction And Embryology.

Source: TwoDay Method | Institute of Reproductive Health

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Fact Sheet: TwoDay Method®

TwoDay Method: Top 15 Most Frequently Asked Questions

TwoDay Method Provider Screening Checklist: ENGLISH | SPANISH

TwoDay Method Client Brochure: ENGLISH | SPANISH

TwoDay Method Client Recording Card: ENGLISH | SPANISH

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TODAY'S BOOK SUGGESTION:

What Every Woman Should Know

What Every Woman Should Know About Fertility and Her Biological Clock
by Cara Birrittieri

-- Until now, there has been little practical advice on what women can do about ticking biological clocks.

What Every Woman Should Know About Her Biological Clock is the first book to explore a woman's reproductive lifespan completely, from beginning to end.

Based on Cara Birrittieri's own experience of running up against a slowing biological clock, she shows women for the first time how to tell what time it is with a simple blood test that gives them a peek at the state of their ovaries.

📚 Paperback: 224 pages
Click to order/for more info: What Every Woman Should Know About Fertility and Her Biological Clock

Dr. Eugen Jonas, medical doctor, made in 1950's the following discoveries:

The Lunar Conception: Women can conceive not only directly after ovulation, i.e. at the moment in their hormonal cycle, when their ovule is ripe and ready for conception. They can also conceive at the moment when lunar phase in the sky (i.e. angle between the Moon and the Sun) reproduces the phase which was at the moment of their birth.

Say, if a woman was born when the First Quarter of the Moon was in the sky, then every First Quarter of the Moon will be for her the moment of very high probability of conception.

This information can be used for contraception, but, more importantly, this moment of Lunar Conception is so powerful that those who couldn't conceive scientifically, often got pregnant by utilizing the knowledge of Lunar Conception.

If Lunar Conception coincides with ovulation, the probability of conception is very high. Strangely enough, it is also very high when the moment of Lunar Conception coincides with menstruation. This explains many unbelievable cases which just cannot be explained by official science, but which exist in real life.

Read more: Lunar Conception: a Discovery of Dr. Jonas

• Lunar Abundance: Reflective Journal

• Free Moon Angle Calculator

• Free Lunar Conception Calculator

• Lunar 2021 Wall Calendar

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TODAY'S BOOK SUGGESTION:
The Sperm Meets Egg Plan: Getting Pregnant Faster
by Deanna Roy
-- The Sperm Meets Egg Plan is a step-by-step guide to achieving pregnancy without taking invasive tests, charting temperatures, or making mistakes in predicting your ovulation that result in mistimed attempts at fertilization.

Designed by Deanna Roy after months of trying made her believe she had a fertility problem, the plan will help you time intercourse whether you have a typical or atypical cycle.

It includes adjustments for common fertility problems, what to do if you are over forty, and considerations for trying again after a pregnancy loss.

This booklet includes 40 pages of instruction plus a 10-page sneak peek of Deanna's book Baby Dust. It should be a free download.

This FREE booklet is a THANK YOU to all the women who have supported Deanna's web site since the loss of her first baby in 1998.

📚 Start reading The Sperm Meets Egg Plan on your Kindle in under a minute!

Don't have a Kindle? Get your Kindle here, or download a FREE Kindle Reading App.

Tens of thousands of women in more than 127 countries have naturally conceived and are now proud mothers they never believed they could be. The best part is, they did it without drugs, over the counter, and without risky surgery or any side effects…

How did they do it? They used a scientifically-proven and real-world tested program that's been sweeping the Internet called Pregnancy Miracle.

What makes this pregnancy breakthrough so exciting is that it gives you the power to...

• Get Pregnant Quickly While Reversing Infertility Permanently.
  It's a fact - 92% of the women who use conventional treatments to increase their chances of getting pregnant fail and sometimes even end up worse than when they started. Now you can learn how to be in the successful 8% group that keeps infertility off forever.
• Get Pregnant Holistically.
  It's a fact - getting pregnant naturally and reversing Infertility can never be achieved by tackling one of the many factors responsible for Infertility. If you've ever tried to tackle your Infertility using a one-dimensional treatment like hormone pills, sexual positions, or even changing your diet and failed, it's probably because you have tackled only one aspect of the condition. Not only will this system teach you the only way to get pregnant naturally, but you will also learn the only way to reverse Infertility for good - the holistic way.
• Get Pregnant Naturally Without Drugs or Typical Infertility Treatments.
  Drugs and expensive, painful procedures such as IVF or IUI to treat infertility only seldom work, but the side effects and the procedures are nasty. The tiny handful of infertility sufferers who have learned how to treat their Infertility from within and without ever using drugs, painful surgical procedures, or over the counters are the only women in the world who keep it off permanently. Now you can learn these Infertility cure secrets from a nutritionist, Chinese medicine researcher, and a former sufferer who knows from real-world experience exactly how it's done.

Pregnancy Miracle™ is a 240-page downloadable e-book, jam-packed cover to cover with all the secret natural Infertility cure methods, unique powerful techniques, and the step-by-step holistic Infertility cure system I've discovered in over 14 years of research. This program contains all the information you'll ever need to eliminate your Infertility permanently in weeks and become pregnant naturally within 3-4 months, without using drugs, without surgery, and without any side effects.

Here is a small sample of what you'll learn when you download your copy of the Pregnancy Miracle™ System today:

• The proven 5-step multi-dimensional Pregnancy Miracle™ Anti-Infertility Success System has helped thousands of women to eliminate almost all types of Infertility and get pregnant within 2 months
• The shocking truth about conventional Infertility treatments and the medication trap, and how you can finally free yourself and use the natural approach forever
• The top ten best fertility foods you should eat all the time
• The top ten worst foods you should never eat when you are struggling to get pregnant. Did you know, for example, that there is a certain beverage which can decrease your chances of conceiving by 50%?
• Finally: the whole TRUTH about how to get together the right Way: learning when and how to do it, making sex work to your advantage using ancient Chinese secrets
• SECRET#1: Discover the 1st most important element that, when eliminated, can virtually dissolve over 85% of all Infertility cases (and almost all women do it)
• Discover EXACTLY when you are most ready to make a baby: knowing the signs of fertility is crucial for your success!
• The one secret 100% natural hormonal balancing supplement that you should always take on a daily basis, and is guaranteed to make a dramatic impact on your Infertility condition, sometimes in a matter of days!
• The cardinal sin of infertility treatment almost every woman is guilty of, which instead of reversing your Infertility, weakens and destroys your body's natural ability to defend itself, thus putting your health at serious risk and making your reproductive system worse in the long run (and almost everybody's doing it!)
• SECRET#4: Discover the link between insulin resistance, ovarian cysts, and Infertility and how to start fighting this problem right now, reverse it, and prevent potential health complications
• SECRET#7: What must you NEVER do, even if your doctor tells you to
• A simple task you can do to determine exactly when you ovulate so you will not miss your fertility window
• The 7 most important nutritional foundations to an effective fertility program (ignore these and you'll it will become even more difficult to conceive)
• SECRET#9: The most up-to-date and detailed illustrations, diagrams, and step-by-step instructions for using Acupuncture and Acupressure to cleanse your energy for conception
• SECRET#12: How to get pregnant fast using an exclusive PROVEN technique that shortcuts your way to success by turning anovulatory cycles into ovulatory ones.
• 17 common household products you MUST avoid that interfere with your hormonal production system and significantly contribute to the development of infertility
• Several of the best-kept anti-Infertility supplements that almost NOBODY knows about...compiled by a 14-year study
• Finally, the complete and honest answer as to why you have Infertility and why some women always seem to make their Infertility worse, and how you can GUARANTEE to stop it permanently
• The amazing connection between physical activity and Infertility and why, when, where, and how you can start 'exercising' your way to pregnancy today!
• The 2 breathing strategies that significantly help your body to start to heal itself, normalize hormonal production, and fight Infertility.
• Why no special diet or detox program will ever cure your Infertility
• SECRET#18: WARNING! Don't use any makeup containing the following ingredient. If you do so, you will never get rid of your Infertility
• An ingenious method to cleanse your digestive organs and get rid of chemicals that mimic hormones that aggravate your condition
• SECRET#27: The three-part secret to conceiving a healthy fetus. This technique has been voted the best.
• Why you'll never get the whole truth about drugs, birth control pills, and risky surgeries from almost any doctor (Even if they wanted to tell you, this is why they CAN'T!)
• REVEALED: The most potent vitamins which improve the quality of your cervical mucus dramatically.
• Why this almost magical combination of three types of herbs will empower your body's self-immune mechanism and cleansing abilities (required to eliminate Infertility) dramatically!
• Discover how the East and West differ in their views regarding infertility and how it can help you get the baby you dream of. Learn the answer to the controversial question: Does Infertility even exist?
• Why Infertility is a WARNING sign that something is wrong in your system and in some cases even a warning sign for much worse diseases, and what you can learn from it and do about it.
• A secret yet very simple technique to double your chance of conception overnight ( this tactic is ignored by 99% of women )
• REVEALED! The hidden truth behind your everyday activities and their negative impact on your fertility. Discover how to stop sabotaging your chances of getting pregnant!
• The CRUCIAL link between insomnia, stress, and Infertility and exactly what you should do to significantly control or completely eliminate these afflictions from your life.
• Discover 3 simple things that your partner can do right to increase sperm count and motility.
• And much,h much more...

And believe me.... this is just the tip of the iceberg! Pregnancy Miracle™ is so much more than just an e-book - it's a complete holistic system for sure-fire freedom from Infertility and all hormonal/insulin resistance disorders - possibly the most comprehensive pregnancy enhancement system that has ever been developed.

There are NO gimmicks in this program - there are no magic pills, or drugs to buy, and no hidden agendas - just the FACTS you need to know to get pregnant quickly and naturally. It's great news someone has finally released an effective pregnancy program based on the truth, but this also means that you have to ask if this is the right program for you:

Anyone who is not willing to put some effort, anyone looking for a quick fix solution to pregnancy, anyone who wants overnight results, is just not ready for a program like Pregnancy Miracle yet.

On the other hand, if you're sick of the B.S. and gimmicks in the fertility industry, if you're willing to make a lifestyle change to regain your natural inner balance and conceive naturally, then you have definitely found the honest and effective pregnancy solution you've been searching for.

To learn more about the Pregnancy Miracle system and to find out how YOU can start re-balancing your body today and start the path to becoming a proud mother, visit the Pregnancy Miracle Website

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TODAY'S BOOK SUGGESTION:
Pregnancy Miracle
by Lisa Olsen

-- A 279-page, instantly downloadable e-book presenting a 5-step, sure-fire, 100% guaranteed, clinically proven holistic and ancient Chinese system for permanently reversing your infertility and your partner's infertility disorders and getting pregnant quickly, naturally, and safely within 2-4 months without drugs, dangerous surgeries, side effects, or expensive infertility treatments.

It's probably the most powerful infertility reversal system ever developed, and currently the best-selling e-book of its kind on the entire Web!

Here's what the author Lisa Olson had to say about her incredible program:
After 14 years of trial, error, and experimentation, I finally discovered the answer to infertility and developed a fool-proof system for getting pregnant the natural way - no drugs or surgery necessary.

It took a lot of research to get to where I am today, to know exactly what works and what doesn't. Yes, after desperate trial and error, countless useless treatments, disappointments, and agony, a simple holistic system opened the door to my new and much brighter life of motherhood.

I was also excited to see that my other infertility-related symptoms had diminished. After years of waiting, I was finally free from Infertility! I have become a proud mother of two.

And now I'm finally revealing my secrets in this new 'encyclopedia' of pregnancy called Pregnancy Miracle.

I will be your own personal coach, take you by the hand, and lead you through the lousy advice, hype,and gimmicks... and directly to the sort of inner balance perfection that will end your battle with infertility forever and help you become a proud mother of your healthy children.


Click to order/for more info on this helpful program:
Pregnancy Miracle

Let's take a look at your menstrual cycle as you move through the month.

The following ovulation calendar is based on a 28 day cycle, so if your cycle is a bit longer or shorter, please adjust accordingly (for some help here, visit our online ovulation calendar).

We take you through your cycle day-by-day and interject a few points and tips (like when to start ovulation testing or how to interpret changes in cervical mucus - a natural fertility symptom).


Get Pregnant Tip #2 Start Fertility Chart: A fertility chart will be the cornerstone of your trying to conceive efforts - a daily ovulation calendar where you record your fertility signs, your daily basal temperature (more on that below), the results of ovulation tests or fertility monitors, and when you made love.

A fertility chart will help you predict when you ovulate - your most fertile time to get pregnant.


Read more: Read the full article

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TODAY'S BOOK SUGGESTION:
Ordinary Miracles: A Journey through Primary and Secondary Infertility
by Krissi Marie McVicker

-- We had trouble conceiving and it was shocking news.

When we found out in-vitro fertilization would most likely be our only chance for success, our anxiety grew.

But, with the help of my husband's amazing insurance, after three cycles, we were able to have our daughter, Ella.

And after three more cycles, our twins Logan and Mia graced us with their presence and we were truly blessed.

I know that we were one of the lucky couples. Many people can't afford one IVF cycle, let alone six.

And, I've never taken that for granted.

After my daughter was born, I started writing Ordinary Miracles. I wanted to share my story with others because I remember hearing success stories when I was in the midst of my struggle, and it inspired me to believe if it could happen to them, maybe, it would happen for me too.

After my twins were born, I started my blog: Stress-Free Infertility. I wanted a place on the Internet where couples could go to and read about others, get solicited advice, and be inspired by other success stories; a place to ease the stress of infertility, at least a little bit.

Paperback: 216 pages
Click to order/for more info: Ordinary Miracles

Start reading Ordinary Miracles on your Kindle in under a minute!

Don't have a Kindle? Get your Kindle here, or download a FREE Kindle Reading App.

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Photo credit: FertileCM.com - All Rights Reserved

Cervical Mucus as a Natural Fertility Sign
One of the purposes of cervical mucus is to sustain sperm in a healthy medium and facilitate sperm movement.

Therefore, during ovulation, there is an increase in cervical fluids, as well as a change in CM texture. During this time, CM becomes more pliable, stretchable, and slippery (resembling raw egg whites) and is therefore a reliable indicator of fertility.

To observe CM, simply use clean, dry fingers or toilet paper to collect and examine your cervical mucus. During non-fertile times of the month, you will typically observe a dryness (or scant amount of cervical mucus). However, as you near ovulation, the amount of CM will increase and the texture will change.

Before Ovulation, a woman typically experiences very little visible cervical fluids. Gradually, more mucus will accumulate - but it will be yellow or cloudy and exhibit a sticky texture. This is non-fertile cervical mucus (sometimes referred to as hostile cervical mucus).

As you begin to near your ovulation date, the presence of cervical mucus will increase markedly due to higher levels of estrogen in your body. First, there will be a moistness or slight tackiness to the mucus, and it should exhibit a white or cream-colored appearance. However, as you near your most fertile time, CM will become thinner and more slippery.

During Ovulation, the amount of cervical fluids will increase greatly and the appearance will resemble raw egg whites. The texture of the CM will become increasingly slippery and stretchable, and may appear semitransparent. This is your most fertile time of the month for conceiving.

After Ovulation (luteal phase), the slippery, thin quality of the CM will lessen and the texture will once again become sticky and cloudy. Post-ovulatory dryness may also ensue as the levels of progesterone rise in your body.

As a natural fertility sign, monitoring changes in cervical mucus is a reliable method of ovulation prediction.

Certain vitamins may help increase your cervical mucus. They can include:

• Vitamin C - Makes your blood vessel walls stronger, fight off infections, and speed healing of any wounds. As well, Vitamin C can increase the amount of fluid in your cervical mucus, giving you plenty of cervical mucus.

• Nitric Oxide [NO] - Makes blood vessels dilate, allowing your blood to flow to your reproductive organs, which are your genitals, uterus, and ovaries. Studies suggest NO helps increase the amount of mucus secreted by your cervix.

• Lactobacilli - Not exactly a vitamin, Lactobacilli are tiny organisms - an important part of a healthy environment in your vagina. Lactobacilli helps create the best environment to make cervical mucus more effective.

• Grapeseed Extract - Works with Vitamin C, making it more effective. The presence of this antioxidant gives additional support and protection to your man's sperm.

• Evening Primrose Oil - A herb often used specifically to increase your cervical mucus. It is an essential fatty acid, also an anti-inflammatory. It not only helps increase your cervical mucus, it also helps increase the quality and effectiveness of your cervical mucus, producing more egg-white cervical mucus.

Read more: Enhancing Fertility Naturally

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FertileCM
- designed to help a woman produce her own cervical mucus - naturally.
Cervical mucus (a fluid that is secreted from inside the cervix) plays an important role in achieving pregnancy.
During most of a woman's cycle, very little cervical fluids are produced.
However, around the time a woman ovulates, the presence of cervical mucus increases in order to help nourish sperm and facilitate sperm transport.
It also insulates sperm from the natural acidity inside the vagina.

Click to order/for more info: FertileCM

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Photo Credit: wigginsray

Infertility may be broadly defined as the inability to get pregnant after trying for at least one year without using any birth control. In Western countries, infertility affects an estimated 15% of the population.

While a part of them are trying to conceive using alternative methods like IVF, others prefer to optimize the chances of getting pregnant naturally. Trying to get pregnant naturally may be very important, since many couples and individuals who are diagnosed with infertility may be able to get pregnant without treatment (and hence should be defined as "subfertile" rather than "infertile").

When trying to get pregnant naturally, the most important factor is to understand the menstrual cycle and the timing of ovulation, which leads to the optimum chances of getting impregnated. Usually, ovulation occurs around the fourteenth day, and hence, to get pregnant naturally, a couple should have as much sexual intercourse as possible between the twelfth and the fifteenth day. Different women have slightly varying menstrual cycles.Hence, to improve the chances of becoming pregnant, it is imperative to study one's periods, and calculate exactly when one ovulates.

Determining the signs of ovulation.

To check for the right timings of ovulation, a woman can do one, or many, of the following things:

• Keep a calendar. Keeping a calendar to chart the days is an easy and effective method to determine the right time to have sexual intercourse.

• Keep a check on vaginal fluids. Mucus discharge from the vagina usually becomes heavier, thinner, clearer and stretchy during ovulation when compared to the usual times.

• Feel the inside of the vagina. During ovulation, the cervix is softer and slightly more open than usual.

• Keep tabs on any sharp pain in the abdomen. Sharp pains in the abdomen, or some slight spotting, may be indicative of ovulation.

• Other physical conditions. Headaches, bloating, breast tenderness and pain may be signs of ovulation.

Having checked for ovulation, there are some other things that an individual can do to increase the chances of getting pregnant naturally. These include lying still for a while after having sexual intercourse, avoiding the bathroom for about thirty minutes after having sexual intercourse, and most importantly, figuring out how many times one should have sexual intercourse.

Men often neglect their own part to play in this whole scenario. The sperms need to be of the correct constitution, correct shape and correct motility too, or else, however fertile the women may be, impregnation does not occur naturally. A way of ensuring that the sperms are undamaged is by wearing boxers instead of briefs. Boxers help in keeping the testicles from overheating and damaging sperms.

For both women and men, the anatomical and hormonal factors are not the only ones to be monitored and corrected. In most cases, failure to conceive may result from an improper diet, undue stress, the use of drugs like alcohol and nicotine, and even environmental factors such as proximity to harmful doses of pesticides. Abstinence from such factors goes a long way in ensuring a pregnancy.

One should always keep in mind that the holistic approach to solving a problem is the optimal way to tackle infertility. Getting regular health checkups, taking supplements to combat existing problem, exercising and stress reduction techniques are only part of the holistic solution to infertility which considers the problem as part of a whole unlike the conventional approach which tackles a specific body organ in its attempt to heal. The holistic approach is not only a surefire way to increase your chances of conception it also guarantees a safe and healthy pregnancy.

###

This article is based on the book, "Pregnancy Miracle" by Lisa Olson. Lisa is an author, researcher, nutritionist and health consultant who dedicated her life to creating the ultimate pregnancy solution guaranteed to permanently reverse the root of infertility, help you get pregnant quickly and naturally and dramatically improve the overall quality of your life, without the use prescription medication and without any surgical procedures.

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TODAY'S BOOK SUGGESTION:
Pregnancy Miracle
by Lisa Olsen

-- A 279-page, instantly downloadable e-book presenting a 5-step, sure-fire, 100% guaranteed, clinically proven holistic and ancient Chinese system for permanently reversing your infertility and your partner's infertility disorders and getting pregnant quickly, naturally and safely within 2-4 months without drugs, dangerous surgeries, side effects, or expensive infertility treatments.

It's probably the most powerful infertility reversal system ever developed, and currently the best-selling e-book of its kind on the entire Web!

Here's what the author Lisa Olson had to say about her incredible program:
After 14 years of trial, error, and experimentation, I finally discovered the answer to infertility and developed a fool-proof system to getting pregnant the natural way - no drugs, or surgery necessary.

It took a lot of research to get to where I am today, to know exactly what works and what doesn't. Yes, after desperate trial and error, countless of useless treatments, disappointments, and agony, a simple holistic system opened the door to my new and much brighter life of motherhood.

I was also excited to see that my other infertility related symptoms had diminished. After years of waiting, I was finally free from Infertility! I have become a proud mother of two.

And now I'm finally revealing my secrets in this new 'encyclopedia' of pregnancy called, Pregnancy Miracle.

I will be your own personal coach, take you by the hand, and lead you through the lousy advice, hype and gimmicks... and directly to the sort of inner balance perfection that will end your battle with infertility forever and help you become a proud mother of your healthy children.


Click to order/for more info on this helpful program:
Pregnancy Miracle

Cycle Technologies is proud to announce that it has expanded on CycleBeads®, the original way to use the Standard Days Method© - a natural family planning method, and is now offering a range of tools to plan or prevent pregnancy.

CycleBeads is a hands-on visual tool that can be used by women worldwide as the most effective natural family planning method. iCycleBeads™ smartphone apps and the iCycleBeads Online web version, are interactive tools that can help women use this natural family planning method through their phones or online.

CycleBeads is unique among family planning methods in that it is natural, highly effective, and easy to use. The CycleBeads tools use a color-coded representation of a woman’s menstrual cycle to help identify whether she is on a non-fertile day or a fertile day.

In addition, they help monitor that her cycles are in range in order to achieve the most effective use of this family planning method. Any woman, whether she is seeking to have children or not, can benefit from using one of these family planning tools.

CycleBeads work the best for women with menstrual cycles that are generally between 26 and 32 days long. Using CycleBeads will aid a woman in determining if her cycles are in this range and whether they stay in this range.

Women with menstrual cycles who are outside the 26 and 32 day range should use a different method of family planning to prevent pregnancy.

Any woman seeking the best natural birth control can use CycleBeads or the iCycleBeads apps as a tool to plan or prevent pregnancy.

To hear more about CycleBeads visit cyclebeads.com.

Photo credit: cyclebeads.com
All rights reserved

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TODAY'S BOOK SUGGESTION:
CycleBeads
by CycleBeads
-- CycleBeads are an easy way to use a natural family planning method.

CycleBeads® help you plan or prevent pregnancy naturally - naturally. This visual tool helps you track your cycle and clearly IDENTIFY THE DAYS you could become pregnant and when pregnancy is most unlikely. Based on a method of family planning that is more than 95% EFFECTIVE in preventing pregnancies when used correctly. Instructions: Simply move the ring one bead each day in the direction of the arrow. 

The colors tell you whether you are likely to get pregnant on that day or not. The RED bead marks the first day of your period. the BROWN bead mark the days when pregnancy is very unlikely. The DARK BROWN beads tells you if your cycle is shorter than 26 days. The WHITE beads mark the days when pregnancy is most likely.

Click to order/for more info: CycleBeads

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• Follow us on Twitter, join the conversation on our Facebook page, circle us on Google+, follow our pins on Pinterest.

More "Pregnancy Over 40" blogs to visit:
• Life Begins... - Pregnancy stories of loss, hope and help
• Pregnancy Stories by Age - Daily blog of hope and inspiration!
• You Can Get Pregnant in Your 40's - Sharing articles, discussing options and suggestions
• Stories of Pregnancy and Birth over 44 - sharing news stories I find online, for inspiration!

A survey of women seeking fertility assistance to become pregnant found most did not know which days of the menstrual cycle they were fertile and most likely to conceive.

In the first study of its kind in Australia, Monash University researchers surveyed 204 infertile women seeking fertility assistance to achieve pregnancy at two Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART) clinics in Melbourne.

It found only 13 per cent of the women could correctly identify the specific days of the menstrual cycle, just before and during ovulation, that women were fertile and could become pregnant.

Published in the International Journal of Advanced Nursing, the study found 68 per cent of the women believed they had accurately timed intercourse within the fertile days of their menstrual cycle in their attempts at natural conception before seeking professional advice.

Principle investigator Kerry Hampton, from Monash University's Department of General Practice, said the findings highlighted a gap between what women wanted to know about the days they were fertile and what they actually knew.

This study found a majority of the women seeking fertility treatment had insufficient knowledge of when to time intercourse to optimize natural conception, Ms Hampton said.

It would appear that a gap exists between what women desire in relation to fertility-awareness education with the knowledge and understanding of health professionals and what they actually know.

Ms Hampton said poor fertility awareness could be a contributing cause of infertility, which affects approximately one in six Australian couples.

Accurately timed intercourse on fertile days of the menstrual cycle may reduce the time it takes a couple to get pregnant, helping some to avoid unnecessary ART treatment, Ms Hampton said.

Fertility education should be a fundamental part of pre-conception care, and the primary care of couples when they first report difficulty conceiving.

The study found 87 per cent of the women experiencing difficulty achieving a natural pregnancy tried to improve fertility knowledge. The most frequent sources of information were the Internet and books.

Infertility is defined as the inability to conceive a pregnancy after 12 months of unprotected sexual intercourse.

The best time to conceive is the three days just before and including ovulation, which occurs about 14 days before the start of a period.

Source

Photo credit: Pregnancy test,
by Lesli Lundgren on FreeImages
Some rights reserved

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TODAY'S BOOK SUGGESTION:
Take Charge of Your Fertility (Teach Yourself)
by Heather Welford

-- Explains everything the prospective parent may need to know as they face the physical, emotional and practical challenges of trying for a baby.

It covers health issues in full, from basic biology and an explanation of fertility and cycles to outlining what supplements are useful and what aren't, and how you can maximize your chances by following a healthy diet and cutting alcohol or nicotine intake.

There are plenty of resources and guidelines for parents facing difficulties, including a guide to the medical options, and advice on how to seek further help.

It will help couples to deal with the emotional issues faced when trying for a baby, and will also give practical information on who you should tell and who you must tell, and when.

With coverage of all aspects of very early pregnancy, from do-it-yourself tests to the very first scan, it will be a useful resource which will help all prospective parents, whether looking to start or to expand their family.

Paperback: 192 pages
Click to order/for more info: Take Charge of Your Fertility

Start reading Take Charge of Your Fertility on your Kindle in under a minute!

Don't have a Kindle? Get your Kindle here, or download a FREE Kindle Reading App.

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Although I am a fertility expert at a top UK clinic, which shall remain anonymous for obvious reasons, I can confirm that I have witnessed some highly unscrupulous tactics used by certain fertility specialists and clinics. I have spoken to many couples who had allegedly undergone fertility tests at some of these clinics and were told that they had 0% chance of conceiving naturally.

When these couples then came to me for a second opinion, I performed the same tests and from the results I would estimate that approximately 80% of these couples should have eventually been able to conceive naturally. These practices horrify me, since there are enough genuinely infertile couples out there who need help.

There is no reason why a healthy woman over the age of 40, who is having regular periods and who is otherwise in excellent health, should not be able to have a baby. These women should be encouraged, not discouraged, especially since they will undoubtedly provide the strong foundations that a child needs in order to develop into a delightful young person.

There are too many children in the world who are unwanted and unloved - often born to young parents - so maybe all the people who are opposed to older parents should refocus their sights on those neglected children.

Brian MB ChB, PhD, FRCOG, UK

Source: www.mothersover40.com

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TODAY'S BOOK SUGGESTION:
One Mom's Journey to Motherhood: Infertility, Childbirth Complications, and Postpartum Depression, Oh My!
by Ivy Shih Leung

-- Author Ivy Shih Leung shares her not-so-perfect road to motherhood in this book that is part memoir and part self-help guide, reflecting lessons learned in the form of helpful tips and information to empower readers on the biological and sociological roots behind postpartum depression (PPD).

She also seeks to raise awareness of the myths of motherhood and the stigma of PPD that contribute to the silent suffering of many mothers, as well as the importance of adequate social support in the early postpartum weeks.

A culmination of Ivy's frightening PPD journey and her emergence from it with a passion to learn more about perinatal mood disorders, this book is fueled with passion to help other women and their families, anger from the unnecessary suffering Ivy went through from the lack of information available to the public about PPD, her doctors' ignorance and lack of sensitivity, and public remarks like, There is no such thing as a chemical imbalance.

All of which shows there's still a long way to go in terms of educating the public about an illness that is suffered by one in eight new mothers.

Paperback: 428 pages
Click to order/for more info: One Mom's Journey to Motherhood

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The fertile time is the best time a woman has strong chances of conception. Ovulation is the release of ovum from the ovaries. A woman’s fertile window if she has a regular cycle that lasts 28 days is between days 10 to 14. Time your intercourse during these days to conceive naturally. Here are some tips to help you identify the best time to conceive.

Know your menstrual cycle length — Make a note of the average days of last six cycles you have had. The full menstrual cycle is the duration from the first day of your menstrual cycle until the last day after which you’ll have your next period. If your last six cycles include cycles while you were on pills, do not count them. To figure out the best time to conceive, you must know your cycle length.

When you ovulate — From the end day of your cycle, count back 18 days and mark this day. For example, if you have a cycle of 32 days, 18 days from the end will be day 14. Similarly, count back 14 days from the end of the cycle and now you get day 18. In this case, the fertile time, which is best to get pregnant, is from day 14 to 18. In women with a normal menstrual cycle .i.e, 28 days, the projected fertile time is day 10 to 14 during which ovulation happens.

Baby-making window — Each morning prior to ovulation, check your body temperature with a basal thermometer. This is the first thing you should do after waking up in the morning. Make a chart of your daily body temperature to track its pattern. Immediately before ovulation, your basal body temperature will be low and you will be secreting mucus. This is the appropriate time to conceive and with favourable conditions, you can surely conceive.

Take a note of signs of ovulation — Keep a tab on your menstrual cycle every month. Look for signs of ovulation, such as increased basal body temperature during the days when you are ovulating, cervical mucus at the vaginal opening and whether it is clear and slippery. This is the best time when you should try to have a baby.

Once you have acquired the knowledge about your average cycle length, fertile mucous signs and basal body temperature pattern, you can efficiently determine the most favourable time to conceive in each cycle. Try your luck folks and who knows you’ll be pregnant soon!

Courtesy: Onlymyhealth

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TODAY'S BOOK SUGGESTION:
How to Get Pregnant
by Sherman J. Silber

-- For decades, Dr. Silber's HOW TO GET PREGNANT has been the most popular resource for couples trying to conceive.

Now thoroughly revised and updated to include cutting-edge information on all the very latest treatments for infertility, this edition will be the ultimate guide for prospective parents in the 21st century.

The comprehensive text explains not only the essential facts of getting pregnant, but also how to solve once insurmountable fertility problems.

Among the new high-tech tests and procedures covered is the revolutionary technique of antral follicle count, which allows women to calculate at any point in their lives how many remaining years of fertility they have and helps them to determine whether to preserve their eggs.

For all couples who dream of becoming parents, Dr. Silber's HOW TO GET PREGNANT will be the one and only book they need to address all their concerns about conceiving a healthy child.

Paperback: 512 pages - Click to order/for more info: How to Get Pregnant

Hardcover: 229 pages - Click to order/for more info: How to Get Pregnant

-- Start reading How to Get Pregnant on your Kindle in under a minute!
Don't have a Kindle? Get your Kindle here, or download a FREE Kindle Reading App.

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Knowing the science behind your cycle of ovulation may help to understand better when you can be more fertile and have the best chance of conceiving. Although it happens every month, the ovulation cycle is unique, customized for your body and influenced by what is happening in your daily life. Things like stress and big changes in your normal routine can lead to a significant change in the ovulation cycle, which can be painful when you are trying to conceive.

The first part of the cycle of ovulation is the follicular phase. From the first day of the menstrual period, this phase continues until ovulation occurs. This part of the cycle may last 7-40 days, and may vary due to many factors such as age, stress, illness, travel, etc.

The second part of the cycle is called the luteal phase and begins the day of ovulation until the first day of your period. This is a more precise chronology and usually lasts between 12 to 16 days after the day of ovulation. With this in mind, you can try to reduce the amount of stress and changes in your routines only during the ovulation phase, because ovulation is highly influenced by these factors.

How do you know when you ovulating? One way to keep track is through the study and monitoring of cervical mucus and/or basal body temperature to determine when ovulation occurs. Once you know your particular pattern, you can monitor every month to track your times of fertility. With this knowledge, you can time your “baby-making” sessions and then look for any early symptoms of pregnancy two weeks later. Of course, how often and when will be the best time to get pregnant may be different for different people depending on their unique personal circumstances.

If the egg is not fertilized during the ovulation cycle, you will see the hormone levels drop significantly and the uterine lining begins to shed. This will be about 12 to 16 days after ovulation and is cycle day one of your period. Once this happens, a whole new ovulation cycle begins.

Although this seems confusing and complicated at first, understanding your ovulation cycle will enable you to have the best chance of conceiving fast.

For detailed information to help you gain a more in depth understanding, read Personal Path to Pregnancy, the international best-selling ebook.

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If you're like most women, you have probably spent a good portion of your adult life trying NOT to get pregnant. And you have probably received lots of information from various sources (friends, family, school) on just how to accomplish this. I'm sure you imagined that when the time came that you actually wanted to get pregnant, it would be quite an easy task. That tips on getting pregnant would be the last thing you would need. Simply stop using any precautions, i.e. birth control, and that should do it!

Well, as it turns out, it is not always so simple. Yet most women have much more knowledge about how to avoid getting pregnant than how to actually get pregnant. You probably never thought you would need any tips on getting pregnant, but the truth is it might not "just happen" unless you get some good information first.

If you ask your friends for tips on getting pregnant, most will just tell you to have a lot of sex. This is definitely a good start, but the number one mistake that couples make when trying to get pregnant is improper timing of intercourse. One of the biggest reasons that occurs is because many women have the mistaken idea that they ovulate on day 14. This is a myth that has been perpetuated because most examples of an ideal menstrual cycle use a model of 28 days, in which case it is likely you would ovulate around day 14--but not definitely. However, many women do not have a perfect 28 day cycle, it can range from 24 days to 35 days or even a bit more or less. So you must never assume that you ovulate on day 14--that is one of the best tips on getting pregnant that you could ever get.

So how do you figure out when you do actually ovulate? Well, there are several methods that can help you accomplish this. One way is using a basal body thermometer and take your temperature each morning upon waking and keep a record for several months. You will start to see a pattern that shows a slight shift up in the temperatures each month. At the point that your temperature shifts up, you have just ovulated. Keeping this chart for a few months will give you a very good idea as to the approximate time of month that you in fact ovulate.

Another thing you can do is check your cervical mucus throughout your cycle to notice any changes. You will start to notice that your cervical fluid changes in consistency as you get towards the middle of the cycle. When the cervical fluid becomes clear and stretchy (like raw egg whites), you are approaching ovulation.

If you are more interested in a scientific method, you can purchase ovulation test kits, a saliva test kit or a fertility monitor. Each of these note changes in your hormones that indicate when ovulation is approaching. These methods are more expensive, but can be very reliable.

Once you have pinpointed when you will be ovulating, you need to time intercourse so that you can have the maximum number of sperm "waiting" when your egg is released. One of the best tips on getting pregnant would be to have intercourse every day up through the day of ovulation as soon as you discover your ovulation is approaching through one of the methods outlined above. The reason is that the sperm can live for about 5 days inside a woman's body while waiting for the egg to drop. Once ovulation occurs the egg only lives for a short time. So having intercourse after you have already ovulated is probably too late! The egg will start to disintegrate within 12-24 hours of ovulation.

So in conclusion, if you are searching for tips on getting pregnant, concentrate your efforts on figuring out when you ovulate so that you do not waste the small window of opportunity to get pregnant that arrives each month. Once you have that figured out, you can time intercourse to maximize your chances of having the most sperm available and "waiting" when the day of ovulation arrives. Good luck!

-- Beth Kiley is the author of the international best-selling e-book, Personal Path to Pregnancy.

Photo credit: hamletnc

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TODAY'S BOOK SUGGESTION:
Making Babies: A Proven 3-Month Program for Maximum Fertility
by Sami S. David and Jill Blakeway
-- MAKING BABIES offers a proven 3-month program designed to help any woman get pregnant. Fertility medicine today is all about aggressive surgical, chemical, and technological intervention, but Dr. David and Blakeway know a better way.

Starting by identifying fertility types, they cover everything from recognizing the causes of fertility problems to making lifestyle choices that enhance fertility to trying surprising strategies such as taking cough medicine, decreasing doses of fertility drugs, or getting acupuncture along with IVF.

MAKING BABIES is a must-have for every woman trying to conceive, whether naturally or through medical intervention. Dr. David and Blakeway are revolutionizing the fertility field, one baby at a time.

Paperback: 384 pages
Click to order/for more info: Making Babies - US | CDN | UK

Start reading Making Babies on your Kindle in under a minute!

Don't have a Kindle? Get your Kindle here, or download a FREE Kindle Reading App.